harrell



R. L. HARRELL FILING DEVICE July 19, 1955 Filed June 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

RUSSELL L. HARRELL ATTORNEY July 19, 1955 HARRELL 2,713,528

FILING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

RUSSELL L. HARRELL WQQ MWW ATTORNEY R. L. HARRELL 2,713,528

FILING DEVICE July 19, 1955 Filed June 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 0 270. FIG. 8 FIG. 9

FIG. IO

INVENHR.

RUSSELL L.HARRELL ATTORNEY FILING DEVICE Russeii L. Harrell, Chapaqua, N. Y., assignor to Wendon Office Equipment Manufacturing Company, Inc., Stamford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application June 14, 1954, Serial No. 436,464

16 Claims. (Cl. 3112) This invention relates to a novel filing device whereby file containers of various sorts may be stored in a manner easily accessible to a work area without cluttering the Work area.

A frequent complaint of those who have occasion to use card files or the like is that they are unable to conveniently work with those card files because of the lack of working surface in the region of the storage of said files. This invention has, as its principal object to provide, in convenient combinations, a work area and a storage facility. The storage facility of the present invention is easily and conveniently accessible to the work area and yet is so located that it does not materially reduce the work area.

The present invention provides a work area in the form of a platform which is preferably mounted at a convenient working height on a frame. The invention provides one or more storage means which are convenient to the work area, inasmuch as they are directly connected to said work area. The storage means in its simplest form consists of one or more box-like shoes or file holders, which have a bottom and at least three side walls along the two sides and back of the device. A top may also be provided where desirable. The open front edge of the bottom of each shoe is connected to the back edge of the platform or working area. The connection means is preferably a hinge or similar device permitting rotation of the shoe relative to the platform. The back end of a card file may be conveniently slid into a shoe While it is in co-planar relationship with the platform. As the shoe is rotated out of co-planar relationship with the platform around its hinged edge, the front of the file is lifted from the work surface of the platform, leaving that much more area unoccupied. Thus the files are stored where they are accessible but out of the way. A simple pulling action on the front of the file causes rotation of the shoe back to its co-planar position.

In order to permit the maintenance of a co-planar relationship between the shoe and the platform, means is provided in addition to the hinge for holding the shoe in the desired position. This holding means will preferably yield under a pre-selected amount of force, such as is tates atent Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective a preferred form of the present invention which is partially cut away in order to fully show the novel structure involved.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a single shoe member which is in its position wherein it is at maximum angle with the work area.

Fig. 3 is a drawing similar to Fig. 2 illustrating how the shoe member moves upward toward co-planar relationship with the platform.

Fig. 4 is a view in partial section showing the shoe member in co-planar relationship with the platform.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing the holding means whereby the respective sections of the connection members are held relative to one another at the point at which the shoe is in co-planar relationship with the platform.

Fig. 6 illustrates in elevation an alternative construction of connection means between the shoe and the frame in expended when the person doing the filing pushes the file away from the work surface.

It is also desirable that connection means between the shoe and the frame be provided in order to cushion the force which may be applied to the shoe. Otherwise, damage might occur to the structure or the contents might be thrown from the file. Various connection means are possible in accordance with the present invention. However, the preferred connection means is a two sectioned means in which the sections move relative to one another. It is often convenient to incorporate the holding means with the connection means and such combinations are preferred.

erence is made to the following drawings:

a view similar to that of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 illustrates the structure of Fig. 6 in a position corresponding to that illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 shows in a partially sectioned side elevational view an alternative means of holding the shoe in coplanar relationship with the platform.

Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned front elevational view of the cooperating portions of the shoe and the platform in the structure of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 illustrates a shoe and file box combination wherein the file box is mounted on a sliding track within the shoe.

Referring to the structure of Fig. l, a work-table embodying the present invention is shown. This Worktable combines a large work area with files in convenient and easily accessible positions which do not interfere with the work surface. Basically speaking, the work area consists of a table-like platform 10 mounted at a convenient working height upon a frame member, generally designated 11. The frame functions primarily to support the platform work surface, but it also provides a rigid reference frame relative to which the position of the platform remains fixed.

In this case, the frame consists of four up-right leg members 12 around the top of which is a rectangular supporting frame 13 which directly supports the platform 10. The platform 10 is advantageously long and rectangular in shape, and accordingly the whole supporting frame is made long and generally rectangular in form. Brace members 14 may be provided between the legs across the width of the structure. These brace members 14 may in turn be used to support a length-wise brace 15 which also serves in a manner which later will be described. If desired, the back legs may be extended above the level of the platform by extensions 12a in order to support shelves or other storage space, generally designated 16.

Shoe members, generally designated 18, are mounted along the back edge of the platform 10. There may be a great many shoe members, depending upon the storage capacity required. In the preferred form of the invention, as shown, a large number of shoe members are attached by hinge means 19 to an angle iron support 20 extending the length of the frame along the back edge of platform 10 and supported on supporting frame 13. Thus, the shoe means are rotatable, relative to the platform. This rotatable connection permits rotation of the shoe into generally co-planar relationship with the platform 10 so that files 21, indicated by the dotted lines, may be placed therein. Thereafter, the file and the shoe may be rotated backwards so that the front of the file is lifted from the work surface, thereby leaving that much additional work area free. The file itself remains conveniently accessible, however, to one working on the platform work surface so that it may be immediately pulled 3 forward and down any time that it is needed. The lowering and raising of each file shoe is independent of every other shoe, as will be observed in Fig. l.

The lowering and raising of each file tray is controlled by a means interconnecting the frame and shoe. This connection means, generally designated 24, is advantageously rotatably connected both to the frame 11 and to the shoe 18. The connection of the frame may be conveniently made to cross brace 15.

In its preferred embodiment, this invention employs air cylinders, such as those commonly employed in door opening devices, as the interconnection means in order to absorb shock and to overcome excess weight or strain. These air cylinders permit an easy, smooth movement in lowering and raising the trays. Other means may be substituted for air cylinders, however, as will be later described. In any event, whatever means is used, it will be rotatably connected both to the shoe and to the frame and will preferably consist of at least two sections moveable relatively to one another.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it may be seen that the shoe preferably consists of a structure of box-like form having a bottom 27, a back 28 and a pair of side walls 29. The shoe may also have a top 34) in order to better secure the file or other storage device. It should be mentioned that, while this shoe is most convenient for storage of files, boxes and the like, it may be used for storage of a great many other types of objects. It will be observed that in Figs. 24, interconnection means is an air cylinder as previously described. This air cylinder has two relatively slideable members. to wit, member 33, which is rotatably attached to bracket 34 on shoe 18 by pin 35 and which extends downwardly and into the second member 36, which is tubular and accepts member 33. In order to preserve the axial alignment between members 33 and 36, member 33 is terminated in a plunger or piston member 37 (see Fig. 4) which closely engages the inside sidewalls of tubular member 36. Member 36, on the other hand, is terminated in cap member 38, which has a central opening which closely engages member 33, thereby also aiding to preserve the axial alignment of members 33 and 36. Tubular member 36 is connected to frame member 15 by bracket member 39 and pin connection 40. Fig. 5 illustrates a preferred means by which members 33 and 36 are held relative to one another when the bottom 27 of shoe 18 is in co-planar relationship with the platform 10. In this instance, a ball 42 is staked into position to act as detent when the shaft 33 is in extended position. This ball lies in a diametrical hole extending part of the way through member 33. The ball 42 is urged out of the hole by a spring member 43 which is compressed between the bottom of the hole in member 33 and ball 42. The ball is retained in the hole and limited in its outward movement by staking or closing the diameter of the hole so that the ball can penetrate it but not escape. When the ball overlies the planar surface of cap 38 the bottom 27 of shoe 18 will be in co-planar relationship with platform 10. Ball 42 will act as a sort of stop against cap 38 to hold the shoe in co-planar position, but with sufficient pressure the ball will be depressed so that it may pass cap 38 and the shoe may be lowered.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, an alternative means of interconnecting the frame and the shoe is illustrated. In this instance, shoe 18' is connected to platform by hinge 19'. Interconnecting the shoe 18 and a frame member is a connection member generally designated 24. Connection member 24' is rotatably connected by bracket 34 and by pin 35. Interconnection means is connected to frame member 15' by bracket 39 and pin 40'.

In this instance, the two relatively moveable interconnection members 33' and 36' are not relatively slideable, but relatively rotatable by virtue of pin connection 45. One of the members, preferably member 36', is provided with a stop member 36a which abuts 33' when shoe 18 is in co-planar relationship with platform It). A spring member 46 extends between members 33 and 36 in position to hold the members in position when the stop 36a abuts the side of member 33. The stop 36a is located so that it will abut member 33' when the shoe is in coplanar relationship with the platform and hence will tend to hold the shoe in this co-planar relationship. Fig. 7 illustrates the relative movement of connection members 33 and 36 when the shoe is rotated out of coplanar relationship. When the shoe is moved a small angle from the coplanar relationship the spring shifts into such position that it causes closing together of the members 33' and 36', permitting and urging the lowering of shoe 18 to its lowest position.

A second alternative version of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which a shoe member 18" is connected to platform 1th" by means of hinge 19". Base 27" of shoe 18" is a planar member which has extensions 27a. These extensions are made to snugly engage depressions in platform 10, as shown in Fig. 9, when the bottom of shoe 18" is rotated into co-planar position with platform 10. The frictional engagement between the members 27a and the depressions in the platform will hold the shoe in co-planar relationship until a force, such as a push from a worker, is applied to lower the shoe out of co-planar relation with the platform 10".

Many modifications of the structure shown will occur to those skilled in the art. The modified form of shoe shown in Fig. It) involves a shoe 50 which has therein a track 51 mounted on its bottom 52. Cooperating with this track is another track 53 on filebox 54 which permits forward sliding of said filebox. In some applications it may be of advantage to thus mount file 54 in order to further improve working efiiciency. In such a structure a card file in a shoe may be pulled forward onto the work area. Then after work is completed, it may be readily slid back into the shoe and lowered out of the way.

Many other expedients will be conceived by those, skilled in the art. All those variations within the scope of the claims are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface and connection means rotatably connecting said shoe and mounting it relative to the platform so that it may be rotated into generally coplanar relationship with the platform with its open side adjacent the platform.

2. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface and connection means attaching the bottom of said shoe at its open side to one edge of the platform in such a manner that the shoe may be rotated about the edge of said platform.

3. A filing device comprising a shoe consisting of at least a bottom and side walls on three sides, a platform providing a working surface and connection means attaching the bottom of said shoe at its open edge to the platform in such a manner that the shoe may be rotated about the edge of said platform.

4. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface and a hinge attaching the bottom of the shoe at its open side to one edge of the platform.

5. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side for holding a file, a platform providing a working surface, connection means attaching the bottom of said shoe to one edge of the platform in such a manner that the shoe may be rotated about the edge of the platform and a means for holding said bottom of the shoe in generally co-planar relationship with the platform.

6. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface, a hinge attaching the bottom of the shoe at its open side to one edge of the platform, means for retaining said bottom of the shoe in generally co-planar relationship with the platform and means limiting the amount of rotation of the shoe relative to the platform.

7. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface, and a hinge rotatably interconnecting one edge of the platform with the open side of the bottom of the shoe and means interconnecting the shoe and the platform in such a manner as to permit only limited relative movement between the shoe and the platform.

8. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface, a hinge rotatably interconnecting one edge of the platform and the open side of the bottom of the shoe, and positioning means interconnecting the platform and the shoe and permitting stable positioning of the shoe with its bottom either in generally co-planar relationship with the platform or lowered into a position rotated about its hinged edge.

9. A filing device comprising a box-like shoe with one open side, a platform providing a working surface, a hinge rotatably interconnecting one edge of the platform and the open side of the bottom of the shoe, a frame supporting the platform, and connection means interconnecting the frame and the shoe to permit alternative stable positioning of the shoe either with its bottom in co-planar relationship with the platform or in a lowered position out of said said co-planar position.

10. An elongated platform having a plurality of boxlike shoes, each having an open side, all having their respective bottoms attached at the open side to one edge of the platform in such a manner that they may be ro tated independently of one another about the edge of platform. v I

11. A structure as described in claim 9 in which the connection means is connected rotatably to the shoe and to the frame and is a two-sectioned member, in which the respective sections are capable of motion relative to one another in order to achieve the stable positions of the shoe relative to the platform.

12. A structure as described in claim 9 in which the connection means is rotatably connected to the frame and the shoe, respectively, and consists of a pair of members coupled together in an arrangement permitting their sliding in an essentially straight line relative to one another,

and including a holding device which fixes the relative position of the sectional members when the bottom of the shoe achieves coplanar relationship with the platform.

13. A structure as described in claim 9 in which the connection means is rotatably connected to the frame and the shoe respectively, and consists of two sections including a piston and a cylinder on the respective opposed sections and including means fixing the positions of the two sections relative to one another when the bottom of the shoe achieves coplanar relationship with the platform.

14. A structure as described in claim 9 in which the connection means is rotatably connected to the frame and the shoe, respectively, and consists of a pair of memberbers rotatably connected to one another.

15. A structure as described in claim 9 in which the connection means is rotatably connected to the shoe and to the frame, respectively, and consists of a pair of members rotatably connected to one another and having means thereon limiting their movement relative to each other and including means fixing the positions of the two sections relative to one another when the bottom of the shoe achieves co-planar relationship with the platform.

16. A structure as described in claim 9 in which the connection means is rotatably connected to the shoe and the frame, respectively, and consists of a pair of members rotatably connected to one another and having stop means thereon preventing their movement relative to each other past the co-planar position and spring means extending between the two sections acting to hold the stop means in place when the bottom of the shoe achieves co-planar relationship with the platform but otherwise tending to produce further rotation of the shoe until its bottom is out of the plane of the platform by a maximum angle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 731,061 MacKenzie et al June 16, 1903 1,396,291 Shaw Nov. 8, 1921 1,573,665 Wiggiuton Feb. 16, 1926 1,593,326 Bourn July 20, 1926 2,281,192 Erickson Apr. 28, 1942 2,436,773 Lambert Feb. 24, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 555,025 Germany July 20, 1932 

